Thursday, August 16, 2007

Customs gets tough on ship import

TO stop the smuggling of imported ships and vessels, the Bureau of Customs and the Maritime Industry Authority yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement banning the registration of imported ships and vessels without clearance from the BoC.

The agreement was signed by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales and MARINA administrator Vicente Suazo, Jr.

The agreement bans the registration and renewal of imported ships and vessels unless appropriate clearances have been issued by the BoC showing that correct taxes, duties and fees were paid.

Imported ships and vessels previously registered with MARINA will also be subject to post-entry audit of the BoC to determine if there is any deficiency in duties and taxes. Lee Ann Ducusin